THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS AND CULTURE

After a tenure of just four months, Mark Hough is leaving his post as executive director of Orlando Ballet. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Hough has accepted a job as chief advancement officer at his alma mater.

"I love the Orlando Ballet," Hough said in the ballet's announcement of his resignation. "I am so proud of the progress we have made since my arrival, but this is an opportunity I cannot pass up."

The ballet functioned without an executive director for about a year during the long search process that ended with Hough's hiring. He replaced Juan Escalante, who left the company in April 2011.

"Certainly we are sorry to see him leave, but anyone can understand seizing the opportunity to return to your roots and where your career was inspired," said Ava Doppelt, who became president of the ballet's board of directors this summer. "We are fortunate that the ballet is well-positioned with a very strong management team led by its artistic director Robert Hill and Katherine Fabian as managing director."

Fabian has been manager of the Orlando Ballet's school since May 2009. After Escalante's departure, she served as director of the operations for the organization as a whole. She will now resume management of day-to-day operations.

"The Board of Directors and our staff are happy to support Katherine and continue the momentum of the ballet as we prepare for our fall season," Doppelt noted. "We wish nothing but the best for Mark."

In the short time Hough was at the helm, the ballet counted a number of successes. It expanded its programming at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden for the coming season and added performances to a revival of its successful "Vampire's Ball" program at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.

Orlando Ballet School student Blake Kessler won the 2012 Youth American Grand Prix, the top prize for this category in the world. And the ballet, which has struggled in the past with attendance, has seen season subscriptions running 40 percent ahead of last year.

In addition, Hough and Hill have addressed a frequent complaint of ballet patrons — the lack of live musical accompaniment — by adding local musicians to two shows on the season schedule. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany the annual showings of "The Nutcracker," and the Bach Festival Society's orchestra and choir will join the ballet in a presentation of "Carmina Burana."

"We have an ambitious season ahead," Hill said, "and I am confident and excited that we will have another successful year with the team that is in place."